Online Reporter
CALM is the word most used about Michael Carrick by people at Manchester United.
Outwardly at least, nothing knocks him out of his stride.
Take last Thursday for instance. During extended chats with the UK media, one journalist asked, pointedly and with persistence, about realistic targets for the season ahead and questioned the club’s willingness to spend enough to achieve them.
What Carrick privately thought about the questions, or the manner they were asked, is unclear. But seeing him navigate them was fascinating.
It was almost like Carrick as a player. Take the ball in tight spaces, be aware of the danger, keep composed and move out of trouble.
There are a lot of positives for Carrick to take from a pre-season of five weeks and six games. Two wins, two draws and two defeats might look average, but the benefits are clear.
There is huge potential in midfielder Andrey Santos for a start. One of three players — Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were the others — to start every game, the 22-year-old, £48m summer arrival from Chel-sea impressed with his ability to rotate the ball, his positional discipline and communication. Like Carrick himself, there is an assurance about Manchester United’s other major signing, Youri Tiele-mans, that should spread through the team. There are already signs his link-up with skipper Bruno Fernandes could prove productive.
It was the energised and impactful version of Bryan Mbeumo from the first half of last season that has been on view, rather than the tired one that returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Heaven impressed in defence, Leny Yoro also, particularly at right-back. Amad Diallo did well in flashes when he returned from World Cup duty. The same is true of Shea Lacey, the 19-year-old academy star who clearly needs to be eased in gradually, but of whom so much is expected.
But there are issues. Neither striker Benjamin Sesko, nor new goalkeeper Karl Darlow featured. Mason Mount, arguably the best player across the first three matches, was not involved again after being taken off as a “precaution” following a blow to his foot early in the game against Paris St-Germain on August 8. — BBC Sport.
